www.faa.gov/runwaysafety
APilot’sGuidetoSafeSurfaceOperations
APilot’sGuidetoSafeSurfaceOperations
AP
Introduction
Trafficlevelsrise.Airportsexpand.And
you,thepilot,areexpectedtounderstand
howtosafelytaxitoandfromrunways.
Addallthevariouscombinationsof
weather,timeofday,airplanetype,and
languageskilltothemix,andtheriskof
anerrorincreases.
APilot’sGuidetoSafeSurfaceOperations
wascreatedforyou.Itisnotintendedto
covereverythingthereistoknowabout
surfacesafety.Rathertheguidefocuses
onfiveareasthatareimportantinsurface
operations:
PlanningYourSurfaceOperation
Page4
TaxiProcedures
Page6
AircraftLights
Page12
Communications
Page14
AirfieldMarkings,Signs,andLights
Page21
Eachsectionidentifiessafetymeasures
youcantaketoavoiderrorsthatleadto
runwayincursions.Runwayincursions
areaserioussafetyconcern.Runway
collisionshaveinvolvedcombinations
ofaircarrieraircraft,commuteraircraft,
generalaviation,andgroundvehicles.
Severalhaveresultedinfatalities.Itdoesn’t
takemuchtobeinvolvedinarunway
incursion.
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APilot’sGuidetoSafeSurfaceOperations
APilot’sGuidetoSafeSurfaceOperations
Introduction
Althoughtheguideisfocusedonsurface
movementforsinglepilotoperations,
theinformationisalsovalidforflight
crewoperations.However,operational
coordinationproceduresbetween
crewmembersarenotaddressed.
Visitwww.faa.gov/runwaysafetyto
downloadtwoadvisorycirculars(ACs)
thatprovidemoredetailsonstandard
operatingprocedures(SOPs)forsurface
operations.AC91-73Aisforsinglepilotoperations,andAC120-74Aisfor
flightcrews.Additionalinformationon
surfacemovementcanbefoundinthe
AeronauticalInformationManual(AIM)at
www.faa.gov/atpubs.
ThisguidewasdevelopedbytheFAAOfficeof
RunwaySafetyandOperationalServices.
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APilot’sGuidetoSafeSurfaceOperations
PlanningYourSurfaceOperation
Thoroughplanningisessentialforsafetaxi
operations.Youshouldgiveasmuchattention
toplanningtheairportsurfacemovement
ofyourflightasyougivetootherphasesof
flight.
•Anticipateyourtaxiroute.Baseyourplans
oninformationfromtheAutomaticTerminal
InformationService(ATIS),NoticestoAirmen
(NOTAMS),recentexperienceatthatairport,
andareviewoftheairportdiagram.
•Focuspre-taxiplansonthedeparture
airport, andpre-landingplansonthearrival
airport.
•Taketimetostudytheairportlayoutofyour
departureandarrivalairports.
•Haveanairportdiagramreadilyavailableto
usenotonlyduringtheplanningphase,but
alsoduringtaxi.
•Checktheexpectedtaxirouteagainstthe
airportdiagramortaxichart.Payspecial
attentiontoanycomplexintersections(for
example,morethantwocrossingpavements
alongthetaxiroute).
•Identifywhenyoushouldbein“heads
up”modeonthetaxiroute(forexample,
transitioningthroughcomplexintersections,
andcrossinginterveningrunways).
•Verifyyourassignedroute afterreceiving
taxiinstructionsfromthecontroller.
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APilot’sGuidetoSafeSurfaceOperations
PlanningYourSurfaceOperation
Airportdiagramsprovidethelayoutand
namesofrunwaysandtaxiways,andshow
thelocationofmajorfacilitiesontheairfield.
Theyareavailablethroughvarioussources,
suchas:
•
FAA’sNationalAeronauticalCharting
Office(NACO)
•
Airport/FacilityDirectory(A/FD)
•
InstrumentApproachPlates(IAP)
•
DirectUserAccessTerminalService
(DUATS)
•
FAA’srunwaysafetywebsite
(www.faa.gov/runwaysafety)
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APilot’sGuidetoSafeSurfaceOperations
APilot’sGuidetoSafeSurfaceOperations
TaxiProcedures
Followinggoodoperatingprocedureswhile
taxiingincreasesthesafetyofthesurface
operation.Thissectionfocusesonsomeofthe
commontasksthatyoushouldincorporate
intoyourtaxiprocedures.
AirTrafficControl(ATC)Instructions
Oncetaxiinstructionsarereceived,you
should:
•Writedowntaxiinstructions,especially
instructionsthatarecomplex.Thiscanhelp
reduceyourvulnerabilityofforgettingpartof
theinstruction.
•MonitorATCinstructions/clearancesissued
tootheraircraft.
•Beespeciallyvigilantifanotheraircrafthasa
similarsoundingcallsign.
• Listencarefullytoavoidtakingainstruction/
clearanceintendedforsomeoneelse.
• Askimmediatelyifyouareuncertainabout
anyATCinstructionorclearance.
• Readbackallinstructions/clearanceswith
youraircraftcallsign.
• RememberanATCinstructiontotaxito
arunwayisnotaclearancetocrossthe
assignedtakeoffrunway,ortotaxionthat
runwayatanypoint.Itisaclearancetocross
otherrunwaysthatintersectthetaxirouteto
thatassignedtakeoffrunway.
• AdviseATCifyouanticipateadelay,orare
unabletocomplywiththeirinstructions.
• Lookforlightgunsignalsfromthetowerif
yoususpectradioproblems.
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APilot’sGuidetoSafeSurfaceOperations
APilot’sGuidetoSafeSurfaceOperations
TaxiProcedures
CheckyourunderstandingofATCinstructions
You,callsignN123,areontheWestRamp
andhaveinformedthetowerthatyouwant
totakeoffontherunwayspecifiedineach
offourscenarios.(Assumethatyouneedthe
fulllengthoftherunwayfortakeoff.)The
controller’staxiinginstructionstoyouare
provided.Selectacirclednumberonthe
airportdiagramtoindicatewhereyouare
requiredtostop.
ScenarioA
“N123,TaxitoRunway16”
Answer _______
ScenarioB
“N123,TaxitoRunway34”
Answer_______
ScenarioC
“N123,TaxitoRunway6”
Answer_______
ScenarioD
“N123,TaxitoRunway24via
Alpha2andCharlie”
Answer_______
Answers–A-5,B-3,C-9,D-12Forinformation,visitwww.faa.gov/runwaysafety
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APilot’sGuidetoSafeSurfaceOperations
APilot’sGuidetoSafeSurfaceOperations
TaxiProcedures
Readbackinstructionstoenterarunway,
“holdshort,”or“positionandhold.”
DonotmerelyacknowledgetheATCinstructions
orclearancesbyusingyourcallsignandsaying
“Roger”or“Wilco”–Insteadreadbacktheentire
instructionorclearanceincludingtherunway
designatorandaircraftcallsign.
NOTE:Controllersarerequiredtoreceivea
readbackofallholdshortinstructionsissued.
TIP- Readingbacktheinstructionsinaslightly
differentformatthanwhatwasgiven(suchas
“HoldShortNineteenRight”,insteadof“Hold
ShortOneNinerRight”),willhelpyouremember
itbetterandmightgivethecontrollerabetter
chanceatcatchinganyreadbackerrors.
SituationalAwareness
Whentaxiingontheairfield,youneedtobe
awareofyourlocationontheairfield,andhow
thatlocationrelatestoyourintendedtaxiroute,
andtootheraircraftandvehiclesthatmaybe
operatingontheairfield.Thisiscommonly
referredtoas“situationalawareness.” Maintain
situationalawarenessby:
•
understandingandfollowingATC
instructionsandclearances;
•
usinganairportdiagram;
•
knowingthemeaningofthevisualaids
availableattheairport,suchasairfield
markings,signs,andlights;
•
monitoringtheradioandusingtheairport
diagramtoassistyouinlocatingother
aircraftandvehiclesthatmaybeonthe
airfield;
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APilot’sGuidetoSafeSurfaceOperations
APilot’sGuidetoSafeSurfaceOperations
TaxiProcedures
•
avoidingdistractions;
Maintaina“sterile”cockpit.Youmustbeable
tofocusonyourdutieswithoutbeingdistracted
bynon-flightrelatedmatterslikeengagingin
conversationaboutgoodrestaurants,teetimes,or
whoisgoingtomeetyouattheairport.
•
usingaircraftlightstoconveylocationand
intent;and,
•
minimizing“headsdown”activitieswhile
theaircraftismoving.
TIP-Ifyoubecomeuncertainaboutyour
locationontheairportmovementarea,make
sureyouareclearofanyrunwayandSTOP
THEAIRCRAFT.AdviseATCand,ifnecessary,
requestprogressivetaxiinstructions.
WhileTaxiing
•Useextracautionwhendirectedtotaxion
arunway,especiallyatnightandduring
reducedvisibilityconditions.
•Useallresourcesavailabletokeepyour
aircraftonitsassignedtaxiroute,including:
•airportdiagrams;
•airfieldmarkings,signs,lights;and
•headingindicators.
•Makesureyoucomplywithholdshortor
crossinginstructionswhenapproachingan
entrancetoanactiverunway.
•Scanthefulllengthoftherunwayandthe
approachesbeforeenteringorcrossing
anyrunway,evenifyouhavereceiveda
clearance.
AfterLanding
•Useutmostcautionafterlandingona
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APilot’sGuidetoSafeSurfaceOperations
TaxiProcedures
runwaywheretheexittaxiwaysintersect
anotherrunway.
•Donotexitontoanotherrunwaywithout
ATCauthorization.
•Donotacceptlastminuteturnoffinstructions
fromthetowerunlessyouclearlyunderstand
theinstructionsandarecertainthatyoucan
comply.
•Donotinitiatenon-essential
communicationsoractionsafterlandinguntil
youhaveexitedandclearedallrunways.
PositionandHold
ATCuses“positionandhold”instructionwhena
takeoffclearancecannotbeimmediatelyissued
duetotrafficorotherreasons.
Paycloseattentionwheninstructedto“position
andhold,”especiallyatnightorduringperiods
oflowvisibility.Beforeenteringtherunway,
rememberto:
•Scanthefulllengthoftherunway,and
•Scanforaircraftonfinalapproachorlanding
rollout.
TIP-Considerliningupslightlytotheleftor
rightofthecenterline(approximately3feet)when
holdinginpositionatnightsolandingaircraftcan
differentiateyouraircraftfromrunwaylightsand
markings.
Whenplacingyouinto“positionandhold,”
ATCshouldadviseyouofanydelayinreceiving
yourtakeoffclearance,forexample,landingor
departingaircraft,waketurbulence,ortrafficon
anintersectingrunway,etc.
•Iflandingtrafficisafactor,ATCisrequired
to:
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APilot’sGuidetoSafeSurfaceOperations
TaxiProcedures
•Informyouoftheclosesttrafficthatis
clearedtoland,touch-and-go,
stop-and-go,ortomakeanunrestricted
lowapproachonthesamerunway;and,
•Advisethelandingtrafficthatyouarein
positionandholdingontherunwaythey
arelandingon.
•Ifyouhavebeenadvisedofareasonforthe
delayorthereasonisclearlyvisible,you
shouldexpectanimminenttakeoffclearance
oncethereasonisnolongeranissue.
•Ifatakeoffclearanceisnotreceivedwithina
reasonabletimeafterinstructedto“position
andhold,”contactATC.
TIP-Takecaretonotethepositionoftrafficand,
whileyouareawaitingtakeoffclearance,keep
trackoftheamountoftimethatpassesafteryou
havereceivedthe“positionandhold”instruction.
• WhenATCissuesintersection“positionand
hold”andtakeoffclearances,theintersection
designatorwillbeused.
• Iffull-lengthandintersectiondeparturesare
beingusedatthesametime,theterm“fulllength”willbeincludedintheclearance.
DidYouKnow?
Therehavebeensomecollisionsandseveral
incidentsinvolvingaircraftholdinginposition
waitingforatakeoffclearance.TheFAA’sanalysis
ofthosecollisionsandincidentsindicatethat
TWOMINUTESormoreelapsedbetweenthe
timeaninstructionwasissuedto“positionand
hold”andtheresultingcollision,landover,orgo
aroundbyanaircraftclearedtoland.ContactATC
anytimeyouhaveaconcernaboutapotential
conflict.
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APilot’sGuidetoSafeSurfaceOperations
AircraftLights
Duringdaytimeaswellasnighttime
operations,exterioraircraftlightsmaybeused
tomakeanaircraftoperatingontheairport
surfacemoreconspicuous,andtoconvey
locationandintenttootherpilots.
UseExteriorAircraftLightsasFollows:
• EnginesRunning–Turnontherotating
beacon.
• Taxiing–Priortocommencingtaxi,turnon
navigation/position,strobe*,taxi,andlogo
lights,ifavailable.
• CrossingaRunway–Allexteriorlightsshould
beilluminatedwhencrossingarunway. You
shouldconsideranyadverseeffectstosafety
thatilluminatingtheforwardfacinglights
willhaveonthevisionofotherpilotsor
groundpersonnelduringrunwaycrossings.
• EnteringtheDepartureRunwayforPosition
andHold–Turnonallexteriorlights*
(exceptlandinglights)tomakeyouraircraft
moreconspicuoustoaircraftonfinalandto
ATC.
• Takeoff–Turnonlandinglightswhentakeoff
clearanceisreceived,orwhencommencing
takeoffrollatanairportwithoutanoperating
controltower.
*Strobelightsshouldnotbeilluminatedifthey
willadverselyaffectthevisionofotherpilotsor
groundpersonnel.
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APilot’sGuidetoSafeSurfaceOperations
APilot’sGuidetoSafeSurfaceOperations
AircraftLights
TIP-Turnoffyourtaxilightswhenstopped,
yielding,orasaconsiderationtootherpilotsor
groundpersonnel.
*Strobelightsshouldnotbeilluminatedifitwillhave
anadverseeffectonothers.
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APilot’sGuidetoSafeSurfaceOperations
Communications
Effectivepilot/controllercommunicationsare
keytosafesurfaceoperations.Youcanhelp
enhancethecontroller’sunderstandingby
respondingappropriatelyandusingstandard
phraseology.Guidelinesforclearandaccurate
communications:
•Usepropercommunicationsprocedures
whencontactingATC.Yourinitial
transmissionshouldcontaintheseelements:
•Whoyouarecalling;
•Yourcallsign;
•Whereyouarelocated;and
•Whatyouwanttodo,ifitisshort.
•Stateyourpositionwhenevermakinginitial
contactwithanytowerorgroundcontroller,
regardlessofwhetheryouhavepreviously
statedyourpositiontoadifferentcontroller.
•UsestandardATCphraseologyatalltimesin
ordertofacilitateclearandconcisepilot/
controllercommunications.
•FocusonwhatATCisinstructing.Donot
performanynon-essentialtaskswhile
communicatingwithATC.
GoodRadioTechnique
Preparefirst;yourtransmissionshouldbewell
thoughtout.Beforekeyingyourtransmitter,know
whatyouwanttosayandchecktomakesureyou
areontheproperfrequency.
CommunicationwithATCshouldbeconciseand
tothepoint.Forunusualsituationsorlengthy
communications,initialcontactshouldbe
establishedfirst.
Acknowledgeallclearanceswithyouraircraft
callsign.Itispermissabletobeginorendyour
transmissionwithyourcallsign.
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APilot’sGuidetoSafeSurfaceOperations
Communications
•Readbackallinstructions/clearancestoenter
aspecificrunway,holdshortofarunway,or
“positionandhold,”includingtherunway
designator.
•Whenholdinginpositionfortakeoffand
whenonfinalapproach,activelymonitorthe
assignedtowerfrequency,ortheCommon
TrafficAdvisoryFrequency(CTAF),for
potentialconflictsinvolvingyourrunway.
•Readbackalltakeoffandlandingclearances,
includingtherunwaydesignator.
•Ifunfamiliarwiththetaxiroutesatanairport,
askforprogressivetaxiinstructions.
•Whenyouareinstructedtomonitora
frequency,youshouldlistenwithout
initiatingcontact.Thecontrollerwillinitiate
contact.
•Clarifyanymisunderstandingorconfusion
concerningATCinstructionsorclearances.
What’sthataircraftdoingontherunway?
Question:Youareapproachinganairportand
havereceivedalandingclearance.Asyou
continueyourapproach,younoticeanaircraft
sittingontherunwayyouareclearedtolandon.
Whatshouldyoudo?
Answer:Neverlandonarunwaythatisoccupied
byanotheraircraft.Inallprobability,thecontroller
isawareofthetrafficandisplanningtoissue
atakeoffclearancetothataircraftinatimely
fashion.Butmistakesdohappen,andifyouare
uncomfortablewiththespacing,donothesitateto
askthecontrolleraboutthetrafficandbeprepared
toexecuteagoaround.
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APilot’sGuidetoSafeSurfaceOperations
Communications
ExamplesofTaxiInstructions
InitialCall-upwithSpecificRequests
Makeclearanyspecialrequestsoninitialcontact
Example:
Pilot: O’HareGround,GulfstreamSix
SevenSixKilo,ACMEAviation,with
informationAlpha,requesttaxito
RunwayTwoTwoLeft.
Controller: GulfstreamSixSevenSixKilo,O’Hare
Ground,taxitoRunwayTwoTwoLeft.
“PositionandHold”
Readbackall“positionandhold”instructions,
includingtherunwaydesignatorandintersection.
Examplefull-lengthdeparture:
Controller: NovemberThreeEightSix,Runway
TwoSevenpositionandhold,traffic
landingRunwayThreeRight.
Pilot: PositionandholdRunwayTwoSeven,
NovemberThreeEightSix.
Exampleintersectiondeparture:
Controller: NovemberSixEightSixTwoSix,
RunwayThreeSixatGolfFour,
positionandhold.
Pilot: Positionandhold,RunwayThreeSix
atGolfFour,NovemberSixEightSix
TwoSix.
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APilot’sGuidetoSafeSurfaceOperations
Communications
TakeoffClearance/LandingClearance
Readbackalltakeoffandlandingclearanceswitha
callsign,includingtherunwaydesignator.
Example:
Controller: NovemberTwoSevenTwoSixTwo,
CharlotteTower,RunwayFive,cleared
fortakeoff.
Pilot: NovemberTwoSevenTwoSixTwo,
clearedfortakeoff,RunwayFive.
Example:
Controller: DeltaTwoTwenty-Two,BostonTower,
RunwayFourRight,clearedtoland.
Pilot: DeltaTwoTwenty-Twoclearedtoland,
RunwayFourRight.
“LandandHoldShort”
Landandholdshortinstructionsrequireapilot
readback.
Example:
Controller: AmericanTwoHundred,DFWTower,
clearedtolandRunwayOneEight
Right,holdshortofTaxiwayAlphafor
crossingtraffic.
Pilot: AmericanTwoHundredclearedto
landRunwayOneEightRight,hold
shortofTaxiwayAlpha.
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APilot’sGuidetoSafeSurfaceOperations
Communications
BrakingActionReports
Whenabrakingactionreportisrequested,the
conditionshouldbedescribedinthefollowingterms
only:
1)Good
2)Fair
3)Poor
4)Nil
Brakingactionsthataffectonlyaportionofarunway
ortaxiwayshouldbereportedassuch.
Example:
Controller: AmericaWestFifty-Twosaybraking
action.
Pilot: AmericaWestFifty-Two,braking
actiononRunwayTwoTwoisgood
firsthalfoftherunway,faironthe
secondhalf.
Controller: AmericaWestFifty-Two,Roger.
RunwayExiting
Youareexpectedtoexittherunwayatthefirst
availabletaxiway,orasinstructedbyATC.Youshould
remainontowerfrequencyuntiladvisedtocontact
groundcontrol.
Example:
Controller: ContinentalThirty-Two,turnrighton
TaxiwayGolfTwoandcontactground
PointNiner.
Pilot: ContinentalThirty-Two,rightonGolf
Two,groundPointNiner.
InitialContactafterExitingRunway
Example:
Pilot: ConcordGround,NovemberThree
EightOneSixJuliet,clearingRunway
TwoatBravo,taxitoACMEAviation.
Controller: NovemberThreeEightOneSixJuliet,
ConcordGround,taxitotheRamp.
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APilot’sGuidetoSafeSurfaceOperations
Communications
GlossaryofPhraseology
Thissectioncontainsaglossaryofphraseology
commonlyusedinsurfaceoperations.For
acompletelistingofallATCphraseology,
consulttheAeronauticalInformationManual
(AIM).
•ACKNOWLEDGE–Letmeknowthatyouhave
receivedmymessage.
•ADVISEINTENTIONS–Tellmewhatyouplanto
do.
•AFFIRMATIVE–Yes.
•FINAL–Commonlyusedtomeanthatanaircraft
isonthefinalapproachcourseorisalignedwith
alandingarea.
•HOLDFOR(takeoffclearance,release,landing/
taxiingaircraft,etc.)–Stayinplace;whereyou
arecurrentlylocated.
•HOWDOYOUHEARME?–Aquestionrelating
tothequalityofthetransmissionortodetermine
howwellthetransmissionisbeingreceived.
•IMMEDIATELY-UsedbyATCorpilotswhen
suchactioncomplianceisrequiredtoavoidan
imminentsituation.
•NEGATIVE-“No,”or“permissionnotgranted,”
or“thatisnotcorrect.”
•“POSITIONANDHOLD”-UsedbyATC
toinformapilottotaxiontothedeparture
runwayintakeoffpositionandhold.Itisnot
authorizationfortakeoff.Itisusedwhentakeoff
clearancecannotimmediatelybeissuedbecause
oftrafficorotherreasons.
•READBACK–Repeatmymessagebacktome.
READBACK
READBACK–Repeatmymessagebacktome.
•ROGER–Ihavereceivedallofyourlast
transmission.Itshouldnotbeusedtoanswer
aquestionrequiringayesornoanswer.(See
Affirmative,Negative).
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APilot’sGuidetoSafeSurfaceOperations
Communications
•STANDBY-Meansthecontrollerorpilotmust
pauseforafewseconds,usuallytoattendto
otherdutiesofahigherpriority.Alsomeansto
wait,asin“standbyforclearance.”Thecaller
shouldreestablishcontactifadelayislengthy.
“Standby”isnotanapprovalordenial.
•UNABLE–Indicatesinabilitytocomplywitha
specificinstruction,request,orclearance.
•VERIFY–Requestconfirmationofinformation
(forexample,“verifyassignedaltitude”).
•WITHOUTDELAY–Withasenseofurgency,
proceedwithapprovedinstructionsinarapid
manner.
•WILCO–Ihavereceivedyourmessage,
understandit,andwillcomplywithit.
InternationalCivilAviationOrganization
(ICAO)Phonetics
A–Alfa
S–Sierra
B–Bravo
T–Tango
C–Charlie
U–Uniform
D–Delta
V–Victor
E–Echo
W–Whiskey
F–Foxtrot
X–X-ray
G–Golf
Y–Yankee
H–Hotel
Z–Zulu
I–India
0–Zee-ro
J–Juliet
1–Wun
K–Kilo
2–Too
L–Lima
3–Tree
M–Mike
4–Fow-er
N–November
5–Fife
O–Oscar
6–Six
P–Papa
7–Sev-en
Q–Quebec
8–Ait
R–Romeo
9–Niner
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APilot’sGuidetoSafeSurfaceOperations
AirfieldMarkings,Signs,andLights
Airfieldmarkings,signs,andlightsare
designedtoassistyouinnavigatingaround
theairfieldandduringlandingandtakeoff.
AirfieldMarkings–Understandingthe
Differences
Let’sreviewthecolorandmeaningofthese
items.Inunderstandingairfieldmarkings,
rememberthefollowingprinciples.
Color
•Runwaymarkingsarewhite(although
yellowtaxiwaycenterlinesmayleadon,lead
off,orcrosstherunway).
•Taxiwaymarkingsareyellow.
•Markingsonapronsandinrampareas
mayincludeothercolorsbesidesyellow
(forexample,itiscommontomarkvehicle
roadwaysinwhite).
Avehicleroadwayonanapronarea.Theedgesofthis
roadwayarehighlightedwithwhitezippermarkings.Atmany
airports,theedgesoftheroadwayareidentifiedbysolid
whitestripes.Youmaytaxiacrosstheseroadways,butyou
shouldnottaxionthem.
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APilot’sGuidetoSafeSurfaceOperations
AirfieldMarkings,Signs,andLights
Taxiwaymarkingpatterns
•Ifamarkingpatternconsistsoftwoormore
lines-someofwhicharesolidandsomeof
whicharedashed,
•Itisalwayspermissibletocrossfrom
thedashedsidetothesolidside.
•ATCpermissionisalwaysrequiredto
crossfromthesolidsidetothedashed
sideatanairportwithanoperating
controltower.
Movementarea
Non-movement
areaboundary
marking
Non-movement
area
•Wheninstructedto“HoldShort,”
alwaysstoppriortofirstsolidlineof
theholdingpositionmarking.
Runwayside
Runwayholding
positionmarking
Holdingside
•Nevercrosssoliddoubleyellowlines
ontheedgeofataxiway.However,it
ispermissibletocrossdashed,double
yellowlines.
DoNotCross
Taxiwaywith
edgemarkings
Centerline
OkaytoCross
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APilot’sGuidetoSafeSurfaceOperations
AirfieldMarkings,Signs,andLights
AirfieldSigns–HowtoGetfromHereto
ThereSafely
Alongwithairfieldmarkingsandlights,
airfieldsignsaredesignedtoassistyouin
navigatingaroundtheairfield.
• Itisessentialthatyouunderstandthecolorcodingandmeaningofthesefourtypesof
signswhentaxiingonanairfield.
1. LocationSign:Identifiesthetaxiway
orrunwayyouarecurrentlylocated
on.Ithasayellowinscriptionona
blackbackground.Remember:Black
Square,You’reThere.
Runway
Taxiway
2. MandatoryInstructionSign:
Identifiestheentrancetoarunway
orcriticalarea,andareasprohibited
forusebyaircraft.Ithasawhite
inscriptiononaredbackground.
3. DirectionSign:Identifiesthe
designationsoftaxiwaysleading
outofanintersectionalongwithan
arrowindicatingtheapproximate
directionofturnneededtoalign
theaircraftonthattaxiway.They
arelocatedpriortotheintersection,
normallyontheleftside.Ithas
ablackinscriptiononayellow
background.
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APilot’sGuidetoSafeSurfaceOperations
AirfieldMarkings,Signs,andLights
4. DestinationSign:Identifieswith
arrowsthedirectionstospecific
destinationsontheairfield(for
example,runways,terminals,and
fixedbaseoperators).Italsohas
ablackinscriptiononayellow
background.Remember:YellowArray
PointstheWay.
• ExamplesofAirfieldSignUsage:
• SignArrays:Groupingofdirectionsigns.
Orientationofsignsisfromlefttorightina
clockwisemanner.Leftturnsignsareon
theleftofthelocationsignandrightturn
signsareontherightofthelocationsign.
•Holdingpositionsign:Thissignislocated
nexttotheyellowholdingposition
markingspaintedontaxiwaysthatintersect
arunway.Thissignindicatesthatthe
thresholdforRunway15istoyourleft;the
thresholdforRunway33istoyourright.
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APilot’sGuidetoSafeSurfaceOperations
AirfieldMarkings,Signs,andLights
DidYouKnow?
Amajorityofrunwayincursionsresultfrom
pilotsacknowledgingATCholdshortinstructions
andthenproceedingacrosstheholdshortline
anyway.
Runwayholdingpositionmarkingsontaxiways
identifythelocationswhereanaircraftisrequired
tostopwhenitdoesnothaveauthorizationto
proceedontotherunway(youwillalsoseeared
andwhiteholdingpositionsign).Wheninstructed
byATCto“Holdshortofrunway‘xx,’”youshould
readbackandstopsonopartoftheaircraft
extendsoverthefirstsolidlineoftheholding
positionmarking.Keepyourheadup–setback
distancestorunwayholdingpositionmarkings
canvarybyrunway,evenatthesameairport.
Whenapproachingtheholdingpositionmarking,
youshouldnotcrossthemarkingwithoutATC
clearanceatacontrolledairport,orwithout
makingsurethatthereisadequateseparationfrom
otheraircraftatuncontrolledairports.Anaircraft
exitingarunwayisnotclearoftherunwayuntil
allpartsoftheaircrafthavecrossedtheapplicable
holdingpositionmarking
Stopsothatno
partoftheaircraft
crossesthisline.
TIP-Ifyouarefacingsolidlines,besureyouare
clearedtoenterorcrosstherunway.Thedashed
linesarealwaysonthesidetowardtherunway.
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APilot’sGuidetoSafeSurfaceOperations
AirfieldMarkings,Signs,andLights
AirfieldLights
Therearemanydifferentlighting
combinationsthatmaybelocatedonsome
airports,especiallywhereaircraftoperations
areconductedinthelowervisibility
ranges.FortaxiingoperationsduringVisual
MeteorologicalConditions(VMC),youshould
rememberthefollowing:
•Runwayedgelights
arewhite(althoughon
thelast2,000feetof
aninstrumentrunway
theedgelightswillbe
yellow).
Note:Picturealsoshows
runwaycenterlineand
touchdownzonelights.
•Taxiwayedgelightsor
reflectorsareblue.
•Taxiwaycenterlinelights
orreflectorsaregreen.
TIP-Nevertaxiacrossarowofilluminatedred
lights.Thisisastopbar—donotproceeduntil
thelightsareturnedoff.
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AP
APilot’sGuidetoSafeSurfaceOperations
AirfieldMarkings,Signs,andLights
•Runwayguardlightsareflashingyellow
lights(eitherinthepavementorlocated
onthesideofthetaxiway)andhighlighta
runwayholdingposition.
HoldingpositionforRunway14-32onTaxiwayBravo.An
abovegroundrunwayguardlightisinstalledbetweenthe
holdingpositionsignandpavementmarking.
Runwayholdingpositionasviewedfromataxiwaycenterline.
Thisholdingpositionhasbothabovegroundandin-pavement
runwayguardlights.
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